BARKSDALE AIR FORCE BASE, La. -- The 625th Strategic Operations Squadron, assigned to the 95th Wing at Offutt Air Force Base, Nebraska, participated in a Simulated Electronic Launch-Minuteman (SELM) test Sept. 18, 2025, in the skies over Montana.
A SELM test is the highest fidelity test of the operational capability of the Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missile and airborne launch control system (ALCS) weapon systems, without physically firing a missile.
“The test directly advances the Department of War’s third priority: Projecting American strength while safeguarding the homeland,” said Lt. Col. Chad Redwine, 625th STOS commander. “SELM serves as a deliberate and visible demonstration of the secondary launch capability, reinforcing strategic deterrence and underscoring the nation’s defense.”
Twice a year SELM test objectives are determined, a mini-squadron is isolated at a designated missile wing, and a Navy E-6B aircraft and test crew fly overhead to send test launch commands explained Capt. Ryan Saunders, 625th STOS test conductor airborne.
“Every sequence up until first stage ignition occurs during a SELM depending on the chosen test objectives,” said Saunders. “This test verifies our ability to launch our ICBM fleet from the aircraft.”
Although a SELM test occurs two times a year, each test is planned five years in advance, allowing for new changes to the weapon system to be tested to either prove a concept or validate a change prior to operational fielding.
“Each SELM test uses the same overall principle of testing,” said Capt. Gregory Nordhues, 625th STOS ALCS deputy missile crew combat commander airborne. “Since there are so many different systems involved, SELM provides the opportunity to test different interactions between the systems by driving the missile to have a certain status and ensure the missile responds as it should.”
Nordhues explained that when launch commands are sent from the ALCS, it takes a different path to the missile than when they are sent from the ground sites allowing the 625th STOS to test systems that are exclusive to the ALCS.
“Unlike a traditional ground launch which tests the flight performance of the missile, a SELM tests all the system interactions that happen prior to ignition of the first stage,” said Nordhues.
“SELM missions are a critical aspect of testing and verifying the safety, security, and reliability of the ICBM systems,” said Maj. Andrew Larson, 625th STOS ALCS missile crew combat commander airborne. “These missions provide the nuclear enterprise with a window into how the weapon system is able to perform on a day-to-day basis.”
In addition to the 625th STOS, the SELM involved the 377th Test and Evaluation Group, the 576th Flight Test Squadron, 341st Operational Support Squadron as well as the 341st Missile Wing’s maintenance, security forces and other support squadrons. Each organization played pivotal roles during the test.
“The SELM strengthens relationships with mission partners by fostering collaboration toward successful test execution, while simultaneously addressing and mitigating unit-specific operational requirements,” said Redwine.
“Being able to participate in a SELM test to verify the strategic deterrence mission of our land-base leg of the nuclear triad with numerous mission partners was an incredible opportunity,” remarked Larson.